Method and apparatus for secure credential entry without physical entry

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a portable memory storage device is provided for interfacing with a communications port of the computer system. During operating system start up of the operating system of the computer, fields relating to security of the operating system are prompted for. The portable memory store retrieves from memory therein data for populating said fields and provides same to the computer system mimicking a data entry device other than a portable memory store.

This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/724,279 filed Oct. 7, 2005, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of computer security and moreparticularly to the field of automated user authentication at systemstartup.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, there has been growing use of security architectureswhereby the user is required to provide multiple credentials atdifferent stages of logging onto microprocessor based systems such aspersonal computers (PCs), Internet terminals and personal data analyzers(PDAs). In the simplest form these credentials is a user identity, whichis checked against a list of valid user identities stored within thesystem, and a password, which is validated against stored data relatingto the user identity to verify the user identity.

In these instances entering the requisite information—logging on orlogin—is a physical event, most commonly the typing of both useridentity and password using a symbol entry device such as a keyboardattached to the system. It has therefore been a normal part of accessingcomputer systems for the software to display a simple login screen orwindow where there exist fields for the user identity and password to beentered. It was initially a pre-requisite of these login screens thatthe user remembered both parts of the login information. Typically, bothwere simple alphanumeric codes for the user to remember andconsequently, they were often easily guessed or determined.

Currently, when using computer systems and software applications, aperson has a large number of passwords, for example for accessing a homecomputer, a work computer, Internet banking, music downloads, electronicmail, secured files, encryption keys, and online auction sites amongstthe most common ones. A user memorizes these passwords, writes thendown, stores them on their computer, or synchronizes them all so thatthey are all the same. Another approach to password management is toallow the system to automatically store login data. This obviously makesthe security of an individual's personal information quite weak allowingothers to rapidly access said information and use it once they haveaccess to the computer system. This is a basis of the criminal activitycommonly known as “identity theft.” The requirement for an individual tovalidate the legitimacy of their authentication information, be it onlya single application or many, lies at the very heart of the security ofany information based activity, and thus it has been the matter of muchresearch.

With the continuing advances in semiconductor circuit design, thedensity of memory circuits has continued to advance, whilst their powerrequirements have continued to decrease. As a result there has been arapid proliferation of uses of semiconductor memory including theprovision of portable solid state memory devices. This has replacedprior magnetic storage media including tapes and diskettes, which wereknown colloquially as “floppy discs.” Today, solid-state memory ispackaged within many physical formats as the basic function is overtakenby fashion, style and marketing. A common form of solid-state memory isthe USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory “key” for interfacing with a USBport of a host computer system.

Typically, these peripheral memory storage devices are “Plug and Play”devices, using existing “standard” device drivers such that they operateidentically on all systems without any device driver installation. Forexample when using Microsoft® Windows XP™ operating system basedcomputer systems, a computer detects that a USB device is coupled to thecomputer and automatically interrogates the device to learn itscapabilities and requirements. Using this information, the computer thenautomatically associates a standard driver for supporting the determinedcapabilities and requirements previously loaded with the operatingsystem. Alternatively, a device specific device driver is loaded. Thesedrivers support existing functions and prevent operations that areeither unsupported or potentially problematic. Later, when the device isdisconnected from the bus, the operating system automatically disablesthe device from the bus and, optionally unloads its driver from thesystem.

It is therefore possible to store within the memory stick securityinformation of a user to be accessed by either the user or the computersystem when needed; however, since this requires accessing the memorydevice, the device drivers must be in execution on the host computersystem prior to accessing of the data. Thus, to maintain security,device specific drivers are typically required. Unfortunately, the veryfirst login screen for accessing Windows operating systems eitherprevents access to or precedes initialization of device specificdrivers. Thus, security data for the first login screen always has to beentered into the system from the keyboard and from the personal memoryof the user or would have to be completely automated using functionalityof the operating system for the computer—stored within the hard drive ofthe computer and automatically entered by the operating systemregardless of who is starting the operating system. Neither of thesesolutions is both convenient and secure.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a method and apparatus forautomatically populating the login window of a Windows® based computersystem that does not require modification of the operating system andthat maintains a level of security for the computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a method comprising:providing a computer system; providing a peripheral memory storagedevice coupled with an interface of the computer system forcommunication therewith; starting a Windows® based operating system onthe computer system; displaying a Windows® login screen; and,automatically populating fields within the Windows® login screen withdata extracted from the peripheral memory storage device and provided tothe computer system via the interface, the interface enabled by theWindows® operating system prior to display of the login screen.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provideda method comprising providing a computer system comprising a BIOS memoryhaving a BIOS stored therein; providing a peripheral memory storagedevice coupled with an interface of the computer system forcommunication therewith, the interface enabled by execution of defaultinterface drivers forming part of the BIOS, the peripheral memorystorage device having stored therein user authorization data of a user;in response to a system login request event, transferring from theperipheral memory storage device said user authorization data via theinterface in accordance with a functionality of a manual symbol entrydevice.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provideda method comprising: providing a computer system comprising a BIOSmemory having a BIOS stored therein, the BIOS including supportprogramming for a first symbol entry device for having symbols manuallyentered therewith for provision to the computer system, the BIOS furtherincluding a default interface driver forming part of the BIOS and forsupporting a default interface and peripheral devices coupled therewith;providing a peripheral memory storage device having stored therein userauthorization data and coupled with the default interface forcommunication therewith, the default interface enabled by execution ofthe default interface driver; executing an operating system applicationof the computer system comprising a system login request event;retrieving from memory within the peripheral storage device first userauthorization data; and, transferring from the peripheral storage devicein response to the system login request event the first userauthorization data via the default interface mimicking data entered atthe first symbol entry device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described inconjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 a illustrates the typical configuration of a computer system andinterfacing of peripheral memory storage device to an interface portwherein the module mimics the function of a keyboard to enable automaticsecurity credential verification;

FIG. 1 b illustrates the typical entry screen of a computer using acommercial operating system;

FIG. 1 c illustrates a simplified data communications command flowbetween the central microprocessor and the peripheral memory storagedevice via the computer bus;

FIG. 2 illustrates the typical configuration of a computer systemwherein the peripheral memory storage device is attached to a genericinterface port and mimics the function of a physical user interface forautomatic entry of security credentials;

FIG. 3 illustrates a typical flow diagram wherein the peripheral memorystorage device detects the default drivers loaded, selects one and thenmimics the said physical user interface for secure entry of usersecurity credentials;

FIG. 4 illustrates a typical flow diagram wherein the computerautomatically detects the presence of peripheral memory storage deviceand it's function, thereby configuring the port for secure automaticentry of user security credentials and bypassing any attached physicalentry interface;

FIG. 5 illustrates a typical embodiment of the peripheral memory storagedevice wherein a biometric verification of the users identity is madeprior to the module transmitting the secure user security credentialsand mimicking a physical user interface;

FIG. 6 illustrates the ability of the automated system to provideincreased security via the use of arbitrary length passwords and orcharacter sequences;

FIG. 7 illustrates the peripheral memory storage devices ability tobypass the physical user interface requirements of a computers operatingsystem; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a typical flow chart for the request of both initialand in-use verification of the users identity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a block diagram illustratinginterconnectivity between a computer system 115 and a flash driveperipheral memory storage device 110 for carrying out an embodiment ofthe invention. Illustrated is a computer system 115, with a centralmicroprocessor and memory block 101, a first input/output controller andhardware block 102 providing access to internal storage elements such asfloppy drive 118 a, hard disk drive 118 b and external storage elementssuch as CD drive 119 a and DVD drive 119 b. These are coupled via thecomputers internal bus 107 to which is also connected Flash EEPROMmemory 103 which holds the BIOS for the computer. Also within thecomputer and accessing this internal bus 117 are a second input/outputcontroller 109 which provides interconnectivity to generic computerconnectors for the optional addition of dynamic pointer (Mouse) throughconnector 109 a, a keyboard via 109 b together with the serial port 109d, parallel port 109 e and auxiliary port 109 c. User visibility ofcomputer activities is via display element 104 and its associatedcontrollers. Additional functionality such as wireless interface isoptionally provided through the use of PMCIA interface 105, whichcomprises sub-elements of a controller and physical sockets. Finallyaccessing this central communications bus 107 is the Universal SerialBus portion of the computer 106, comprising connector ports 106 a andUSB controller 106 b.

Interconnected to all of the different elements of the computer is apower source in the form of power supply 120.

Prior to starting the computer—power up, a user connects a peripheralmemory storage device 110 to an interface port of the computer in theform of USB port 106 a. Coupling is achieved by mating connector shell111 on the peripheral memory storage device with the connector of USBport 106 a. Internal to the peripheral memory storage device 110 are athird input/output controller 112, internal microprocessor 113 andmemory 114.

At power up of the computer 115, the microprocessor element 101initiates reading of the BIOS (basic input/output memory system) memory103 thereby extracting the built-in instruction codes that determine howthe computer system functions absent programming from a disk. Onpersonal computers 115, the BIOS contains all the code required tocontrol a keyboard 116, 104, disk drives 118 a, 118 b, 119 a, 119 b,serial communications 106, 109 d and a number of other miscellaneousfunctions.

Referring now to FIG. 1 b, after the execution of the instruction codesretrieved from the BIOS, the computer 115 begins the loading andexecuting of instruction data relating to an operating system definedfor this machine. During this process, the display 104 optionallydisplays progress information and, for example, the keyboard 116 isdisabled to prevent errors from invalid command entry or keyboardinterrupts. At some point a software application 121 in execution in theform of the operating system software generates a prompt that typicallyrequests the user to enter 3 fields of information. These are, forexample, user name 121 a, password (security credential) 121 b and aname of the computer being logged into 121 c, which is typically eithera discrete identity of the computer system or that of a central serverin the event of the computer being networked.

Now referring to FIG. 1 c as the entry screen 121 is displayed, themicroprocessor 101 places onto the internal bus a command 130 denotingreadiness to accept input for example in response to a user initiatedsequence. More commonly, the user initiates data entry from the deviceby actuating a control input port on the device, for example a button orimager. Sensing this, the peripheral memory storage device 110 extractsa first user credential—user name 121 a—from the memory 114 wherein itis converted by circuitry within the peripheral memory storage device inthe form of a microprocessor 113 to a command sequence matching ananticipated command set 131 of a user interface and placed onto the busalongside with other necessary data of flags being set to denotecompletion of activity. For example, in the case of a keyboard, a tabvalue is inserted between the data fields and a carriage return datavalue is inserted after the data. This user name 121 a is then typicallydisplayed as text 104 b in the appropriate field of the screen.Subsequently, the peripheral memory storage device 110 extracts thesecond credential—password 121 b—and repeats the communication of thisas a data command 132 onto the bus 107; typically, password data isobfuscated during display thereof. Finally a third credential isoptionally extracted and communicated 133 representing the referenceidentity 121 c for the computer being accessed.

As is noted, a user of the computer system is not involved in the username and password entry process. Thus, once the peripheral memorystorage device is coupled to the computer and is operational, thecomputer is logged into automatically without user intervention. Absentthe peripheral memory storage device, the computer is accessible by wayof manually providing user authorization data thereto.

Alternatively, the peripheral memory storage device is connected to aPMCIA interface 105 of the computer as opposed to USB interface 106.This is particularly applicable to systems wherein the PCMCIA interfaceis enabled during the login event. Further alternatively, the peripheralmemory storage device is coupled to one of a parallel port and a serialport of the computer. Further alternatively, the peripheral memorystorage device is wirelessly coupled to a wireless interface of thecomputer. Of course, it is evident to someone of skill in the art thatthe port to which the peripheral memory storage device is coupled issupported by the operating system at the start up logon display screenand supports the functionality described hereinabove for mimicking of adata entry device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an ability of the peripheral memory storage device toprovide secure user credential information via different physicalinterfaces. The computer bus 201 communicates to an input/outputinterface 208 for physical entry management, a display interface 204 andanother input/output interface 205 controlling USB ports. Optionallycoupled with these interfaces is one or more of a keyboard 210,handwriting tablet 209, voice transducer 206, sound comparator 207, anda touch sensitive screen 211.

As the BIOS 213 is loaded from ROM memory, microprocessor 212 polls allrecognized data entry ports to identify which of the different datainput devices, namely keyboard 210, tablet 209, touch sensitive screen21 and sound analysis elements 206 or 207 are present. As with theprevious embodiment, peripheral memory storage device 212 is alreadycoupled to a USB port, in this case 203 a. As the microprocessor 212loads the BIOS 213 and validates the presence of user interface devices,the peripheral memory storage device monitors and determines a userinput device to mimic.

When the operating system prompts to accept the first user credential,the peripheral memory storage device extracts said information from itsmemory store, converts it to the appropriate command syntax for thedevice being mimicked and provides this to the USB port 203 a. Thissequence is repeated for each user authorization data prompted for bythe operating systems boot-up procedure. In this manner the computersystem is started securely without the intervention of the operator inand there is provided a compact, portable module interfacing with thecommunications port of the microprocessor based system or equipment.

It is therefore clear to those skilled in the art that bypassing ofmanual user entry of user authorization data by exploiting credentialsstored within a peripheral memory storage device increases security asthe user authorization data are optionally quite complex andindeterminate. Further, a user does not need to use memorable passwords,user names, or system equipment identities. Of course, with the storageof user authorization data in the peripheral memory storage device, theuser authorization data are optionally radically different and withoutcommon theme even within a small group or enterprise. Optionally, theuser authorization data is modified at short intervals, something thatis very difficult to effect with user memorized passwords.

Further, it is evident to those skilled in the art that this automaticentry of the user authorization data is extensible and repeatable forthe accessing of subsequent software applications, database access etc.In this manner the user authorization data are optionally differentapplication-to-application, which is generally not the case today asusers limit the number of passwords they have to remember.

FIG. 3 shows a typical flow diagram wherein the peripheral memorystorage device has the ability to perform communication via any defaultdriver loaded by the BIOS even where said devices are not currentlypresent or configured for the system. This feature exploits the desireof developers of BIOS to maximize a number of computer platforms theirsystem is deployed on. Therefore the BIOS often contains device driversfor multiple port formats, interface equipment protocols etc. Furtheroptionally, the peripheral memory storage device mimics an element ofthe system such that a successful power up is achieved even if saidinterface is not present. One such common example is a keyboard—mostpersonal computers do not start up without the presence of a keyboard.

At power up, the computer triggers the BIOS to load and the peripheralmemory storage device monitors the computer bus for commands validatingthe presence of different elements. Upon detecting a command on thecomputer bus, the module decodes the command request to define thephysical element being sought. If the element matches one that theperipheral memory storage device supports then the internal memory ofthe module is addressed to denote this as a valid option. Thereafter, ifthe real element has not responded within a pre-determined time period,the peripheral memory storage device transmits a command stringmimicking a validation string from the said element. As all driverswithin the BIOS are loaded, this loop repeats until it notes acompletion of the BIOS loading.

At this point, the peripheral memory storage device extracts a list ofvalid drivers and using a prioritized look-up defines the user inputdevice it will mimic and loads appropriate translation commandstructures for the selected user input device. Thereafter upon waitingand noting a prompt for input user authorization data from the operatingsystem, the peripheral memory storage device extracts the appropriateuser authorization data sequence, converts it and places the converteduser authorization data sequence onto the computer bus wherein themicroprocessor retrieves the sequence and undertakes validation of theuser. A result of this process is a subsequent accepting or rejecting ofthe user authorization attempt.

Therefore, it would be evident to one skilled in the art that theperipheral memory storage device may detect the presence of and mimicmultiple user interfaces including, but not limited to a keyboard,mouse, handwriting tablet, voice recognition system, etc.

Referring to FIG. 4, a further embodiment of the automation is outlinedwherein the personal computer 400 has been assembled as per normalpractices and thus upon system power up executes a BIOS 402. Thecomputer 400 has USB capabilities 403 wherein a USB controller 404addresses USB slots 405 a, 405 b. The computer only has, for example,two USB ports 405 a, 405 b that are connected to peripheral devices. Inthis exemplary embodiment, USB port 405 a is connected to a USB enabledkeyboard 411 and the second USB port 405 b is connected to a USB enabledmouse 412. Therefore the only accessible interfaces are accessible viathe general input/output section 406 of the computer 400. Within thisinput/output section 406 there is a controller circuit 407 which hasseveral standard connector ports of which one is an industry standardserial port 408.

In this embodiment the user connects the peripheral memory storagedevice 410 to this serial port 408 using an adapter 409. Now at systempower up the BIOS 402 is loaded and the peripheral memory storage device410 detects the activity but also recognizes by the assigned commands onthe data bus 401 provided via the serial port 408 that it is attached toserial port 408. The peripheral memory storage device implementsadditional coding of the user security credentials such that whenprovided from the peripheral memory storage device 410 to the serialport 408 and via the controller 407 to the internal system bus 401, theyappear to mimic a user data input device supported on the port to whichthe peripheral data memory storage device is coupled. In this manner thecomputer is automatically provided the user authorization data.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that this embodiment isextensable such that the peripheral memory storage device is optionallycoupled to any non-occupied port of the computer supported by the BIOSand supporting mimicking of a user text data entry device therefrom.Additionally that when coupled to said non-occupied port the peripheralmemory storage device is configured to mimic other physical interfacedevices such as handwriting tablet, microphone, image recognition etcand not simply the default embodiment of a keyboard.

FIG. 5 shows a simplified schematic of a peripheral memory storagedevice for secure log-on wherein additional protection is achieved. Theperipheral memory storage device requires verification of a physicalattribute of the user prior to releasing the internally storedcredentials to an application.

The computer 500 comprises a USB interface section 501 and a USB port502. Into the USB port 502 is plugged the peripheral memory storagedevice 504. At power up of the system, the microprocessor 509 beginsloading the default configuration and drivers from BIOS 508 and thenexecutes the loading of the operating system. At this point theperipheral memory storage device detects for a prompt for user data tobe provided from an attached physical entry device 510 and begins theloading under its own internal processor 505 of user authorization dataprior to the module interface controller 504. In doing so, themicroprocessor triggers the display of a message on display 511 oralternatively an LED on the peripheral memory storage device beingactivated.

The message is for prompting a user to physically verify their identitydirectly to the peripheral memory storage device with, for example, abiometric scan. A first such embodiment comprises fingerprintverification wherein the user makes finger contact with a fingerprintsensor in the peripheral storage device 507 or in communicationtherewith, which forms a digital representation of a fingerprint andprovides this to an analyzer 506 for comparison with a template based ona reference fingerprint and stored in memory 513.

After the fingerprint has been verified, the peripheral memory storagedevice controller 505 continues the process of extracting the userauthorization data and placing these onto the internal bus 514 of thecomputer via the USB interface port and in accordance with an operationof a user data entry device in the form of a keyboard. In this mannertherefore the peripheral memory storage device mimics the keyboard entryof the user authorization data and only does so after a physicalverification of a biometric information sample. This enhances security,preventing unauthorized use of a peripheral memory storage device whenit is found, for example after being misplaced or stolen or when it isleft coupled with a computer system.

It will be evident to someone skilled in the art that the biometrictransducer and analyzer are optionally other biometric recognitionsystems, for example, retinal scan, iris scan, facial recognition,handwriting recognition, and voice print recognition. Further, thesensor 507 and analyzer 506 are optionally a separate module to theperipheral memory storage device 503. For example, the separate moduleis optionally coupled to another USB port on the computer system and iscontrolled by the peripheral memory storage device.

The structure and content of user authorization data is of arbitrarylength and arbitrary content limited by the operating systemrequirements. Further, the user authorization data is digitally providedto the operating system. As such, allowable characters includecharacters not normally accessible to users entering them at, forexample, a standard keyboard. In this manner the degree of security tothe system is increased dramatically as the number of combinations for apassword increases substantially and the ability to try some availablecombinations is extremely limited and sometimes beyond the scope ofavailable input devices.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified flow diagram for a peripheral memory storagedevice wherein an application prompts for reverification of userauthorization data under certain circumstances. At 301 the user isprompted to verify their identity by providing a a biometric informationsample to an authentication process. The process is in the form of afingerprint authentication process. Upon placing a finger on a sensor,data relating thereto is acquired 302 and analysed to authenticate thedata 303. If the authentication fails then the system returns to 301 andawaits a new sample.

If the authentication is successful then the system at 304 logs the timeof this authentication 304 a and resets a timer 304 b. As the userprogresses to use the computer system the application is repeatedlyperforming a sequence of tests in the background and as follows:

-   -   at 305 the computer system checks for a predetermined period of        inactivity    -   at 306 the computer system checks for a predetermined period of        time to have elapsed    -   at 307 the computer system checks for whether the user has        requested to download files from certain secure information        storage media    -   at the computer system 308 checks for whether the user has        requested to upload files to certain secure information storage        media    -   309 the computer system checks for whether the user has been        asked to provide secure information

At each check the system determines whether or not to request the userto provide a further biometric information sample to revalidate theiridentity. If not the system loops back to 304 otherwise it loops back to301.

Referring to FIG. 8 an embodiment is shown wherein the failure toprovide correct user authorization data for verification results indisabling of the peripheral memory storage device either temporarily orpermanently.

The computer 801 comprises a USB port 805 to which is coupled aperipheral memory storage device 806 providing secure user authorizationdata entry via keyboard mimicking. After the software application hasprompted for entry of user authorization data, the user provides abiometric sample via the sensor 809, which is analyzed by the biometricanalyzer 808, and a result is provided to internal microprocessor 807 ofthe peripheral memory storage device 806. If the data is authenticatedthen the user authorization data are entered automatically and securelyby mimicking keyboard function of the peripheral memory storage deviceand data extracted from the peripheral memory storage device's internalmemory 811. However, should the data be other than authenticated, thenthe microprocessor 807 triggers the electronic blowing of an internalfuse array 810 within the peripheral memory storage device. Said fuses810 isolate a portion of the module memory having security data storedtherein from the external world removing the peripheral memory storagedevice 806 automatic login functionality. Optionally, instead of blowingfuses, software settings are altered requiring a security administratorto reset same.

Alternatively protection mechanisms such as selective overwriting ofuser authentication data, erasure of internal module firmware,over-writing or resetting to non-operational defaults are performed forsecuring the security data within the module. Additionally it is evidentthat said protection mechanisms are triggerable based on otherpre-determined events such as number of uses or date.

Numerous other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: providing a computer system;providing a peripheral memory storage device coupled with an interfaceof the computer system for communication therewith; upon boot-up of thecomputer system, automatically starting an operating system on thecomputer system and initiating a driver allowing communication betweensaid peripheral memory storage device and said interface of the computersystem; displaying a login screen; upon boot-up of said computer system,and after displaying said login screen, intercepting by said peripheralmemory storage device a command by said operating system indicatingreadiness to accept input; and automatically responding by saidperipheral memory storage device, upon boot-up of said computer system,to said command indicating readiness to accept input, includingpopulating fields within the login screen with data extracted from theperipheral memory storage device and provided to the computer system viathe interface, the interface enabled by the operating system prior todisplay of the login screen; wherein said login screen is displayed andpopulated in response to cooperation by said operating system and saidperipheral memory storage device.
 2. A method according to claim 1,comprising completing a login process by performing one ofauthenticating and rejecting the user in dependence upon the dataextracted from the peripheral memory storage device and populated withinthe fields of the login screen, said steps of completing a login processbeing performed before configuration of said operating system.
 3. Amethod according to claim 2 wherein the interface comprises an externalinterface to the computer system.
 4. A method comprising: providing acomputer system comprising a BIOS memory having a BIOS stored therein;providing a peripheral memory storage device coupled with an interfaceof the computer system for communication therewith, the interfaceenabled by execution of default interface drivers forming part of theBIOS, the peripheral memory storage device having stored therein userauthorization data of a user; upon boot-up of the computer system,automatically starting an operating system on the computer system andinitiating a driver allowing communication between said peripheralmemory storage device and said interface of the computer system; uponboot-up of said computer system, and after displaying a login screen,intercepting by said peripheral memory storage device a command by saidoperating system indicating readiness to accept input; responding bysaid peripheral memory storage device, to a command from said operatingsystem indicating readiness to accept input, wherein said peripheralmemory storage device responds to said command indicating readiness toaccept input by presenting information from said peripheral memorystorage device instead of input from a user; in response to a systemlogin request event, transferring from the peripheral memory storagedevice said user authorization data via the interface wherein the datapasses through the interface in accordance with a functionality of amanual symbol entry device; wherein said login screen is displayed andpopulated in response to cooperation by said operating system and saidperipheral memory storage device.
 5. A method according to claim 4,wherein the user authorization data passes through the interface as ifentered at a keyboard.
 6. A method according to claim 5, whereintransferring comprises: extracting user authorization data from memoryof the peripheral storage device; and providing the user authorizationdata sequentially to the interface of the computer system in accordancewith a functionality of the keyboard, said providing being performedconfiguration of said computer system.
 7. A method according to claim 6,wherein transferring provides data for supporting an automated loggingin operation to an operating system of the computer system.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 7, comprising: prior to transferring of datatherefrom providing second user authorization data to the peripheralmemory storage device; verifying the second user authorization dataagainst previously stored data to form a comparison result; when thecomparison result is indicative of an authorized user, transferring thedata therefrom; and when the comparison result is indicative of otherthan an authorized user, other than transferring of the data therefrom.9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the second user authorizationdata comprises biometric information.
 10. A method according to claim 9,wherein the biometric information comprises a fingerprint.
 11. A methodcomprising: providing a computer system comprising a BIOS memory havinga BIOS stored therein, the BIOS including support programming for afirst symbol entry device for having symbols manually entered therewithfor provision to the computer system, the BIOS further including adefault interface driver forming part of the BIOS and for supporting adefault interface and peripheral devices coupled therewith; providing aperipheral memory storage device having stored therein userauthorization data and coupled with the default interface forcommunication therewith, the default interface enabled by execution ofthe default interface driver; upon boot-up of the computer system,automatically starting an operating system on the computer system andinitiating a driver allowing communication between said peripheralmemory storage device and said interface of the computer system, andautomatically executing an operating system application of the computersystem comprising a system login request event; upon boot-up of thecomputer system, and after displaying a login screen, intercepting bysaid peripheral memory storage device a command by said operating systemindicating readiness to accept input, and automatically responding bysaid peripheral memory storage device, upon boot-up of said computersystem, to said command indicating readiness to accept input, includingresponding to said system login request event instead of allowing inputfrom a user; wherein said automatically responding includes retrievingfrom memory within the peripheral storage device first userauthorization data; and, transferring from the peripheral storage devicein response to the system login request event the first userauthorization data via the default interface mimicking data entered atthe first symbol entry device, said transferring being performed beforeconfiguration of said computer system; wherein said login screen isdisplayed and populated in response to cooperation by said operatingsystem and said peripheral memory storage device.
 12. A method accordingto claim 11, wherein the peripheral storage device mimics a keyboardwhen providing the first user authorization data to the system loginrequest event.
 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein theperipheral storage device mimics a handwriting tablet when providing thefirst user authorization data to the system login request event.
 14. Amethod according to claim 11, wherein the peripheral storage devicemimics a microphone when providing the first user authorization data tothe system login request event.
 15. A method according to claim 11,wherein the peripheral storage device mimics a touch sensitive displaywhen providing the first user authorization data to the system loginrequest event.
 16. A method according to claim 11, wherein the defaultinterface of the computer system is the Universal Serial Bus (USB). 17.A method according to claim 11, wherein the default interface of thecomputer system is the PCMCIA interface port.
 18. A method according toclaim 11, wherein the default interface of the computer system is awireless interface port.
 19. A method according to claim 11, whereinexecuting an operating system application comprises at system start-upstarting the operating system and automatically populating fields withinthe login screen with the first user authorization data.
 20. A methodaccording to claim 19, wherein the interface is enabled by the operatingsystem prior to display of a system login prompt.
 21. A method accordingto claim 11, wherein executing an operating system application comprisesstarting an operating system and automatically populating fields withina login prompt with the first user authorization data.
 22. A methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the peripheral memory storage deviceemploys a generic peripheral interface driver loaded from the BIOS evenwhen a device is other than coupled thereto.
 23. A method as per claim11, wherein the peripheral memory storage device comprises a biometricsensor for providing a biometric sample of the user to validate the userprior to transmitting the user authorization data via the interface. 24.A method according to claim 23, wherein the biometric sample comprises afingerprint.
 25. A method according to claim 11, wherein the userauthorization data includes text character data that includes charactersother than enterable from a standard keyboard.
 26. A method according toclaim 23, comprising a timer for, upon expiration of a known time limit,requiring a biometric sample of the user to revalidate the user prior totransmitting the user authorization data via the interface.